07 February 2014| last updated at 12:25AM
PREVENTIVE MEASURES: Health dept tells public to seek immediate treatment
KOTA KINABALU: SABAH health authorities are taking the highest precautions to prevent the spread of influenza A (H1N1) following the recent detection of seven cases in a hospital here.
The patients, five of whom are children, at Likas Women and Children's Hospital here are reportedly recovering well at press time.
State Health Department director Dr Christina Rundi said anti-viral drugs had been administered to the patients while 24 others were screened after they were believed to have been at risk of being exposed to the virus.
"The ward has been disinfected while an operation centre was opened on Tuesday to control the situation.
"Staff have been instructed to take leave if they are sick and increase hygiene practices, including proper hand-washing and wearing face masks."
She said the hospital had also started limiting visitors.
Health education has been conducted for the public to inform them on how to identify symptoms which include flu, fever, sore throat, diarrhoea and body ache. They were also taught preventive measures, and to seek immediate treatment.
Influenze A is contagious via respiratory droplets, with senior citizens, children younger than 5, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions being especially vulnerable.
Sabah reported 944 infections during a global pandemic in 2009, 145 in 2010, 26 in 2011, and six last year.
Besides the seven in hospital, another case was reported recently in Sandakan, bringing the total number of cases so far this year to eight.
At press time, the source of infection has yet to be identified.
Sources said the first case to be identified at the Likas hospital was a child who was warded with kidney problems.
Dr Christina Rundi says hospital staff must increase hygiene practices
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